Official: Mta Not End Of Road For State Aid

Department of Transportation Secretary Tom Drawdy has told a leading supporter of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that the Orlando area won't lose state and federal aid if the agency survives the June 3 referendum. In a letter to Jack Critchfield, chairman of the study committee that proposed a road-building agency, Drawdy said local efforts to improve state roads will not reduce funding from DOT.

''You have my assurance that this policy applies to the revenue measures being proposed in your June referendum and that if these measures are enacted, the department will continue to provide an equitable share of state transportation funds to the MTA region,'' Drawdy wrote.

The letter followed a conversation between Critchfield and Drawdy last month. The letter is part of an attempt by MTA supporters to allay fears about losing state aid if the MTA passes.